Combination face mask and dental device for improved breathing during sleep

ABSTRACT

A combination face mask and dental device for improved breathing during sleeping is provided in which a face mask (10) is connected through an air tube (14) to a gas supply system (16). The face mask (10) is connected through a connector (20) to a dental device (18).

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.08/129,598, filed Sep. 29, 1993 and entitled APPARATUS FOR PREVENTION OFSNORING AND IMPROVED BREATHING DURING SLEEP.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to medical devices, and moreparticularly to a combination face mask and dental device for improvedbreathing during sleep.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many people experience difficulty in sleeping because of breathingproblems. These problems may result in snoring, or the more seriouscondition of sleep apnea.

One treatment for serious sleep breathing disorders involves applicationof constant positive air pressure ("CPAP") to the patient. This CPAP isdelivered through a face mask, nose mask, or nasal inserts and resultsin opening of the patient's breathing passageway. The CPAP pressure mustbe increased for more serious conditions. Face masks for delivering CPAPare commonly secured to the patient's head with an adjustable or elasticstrap. As the patient moves during sleep, the face mask often shifts andunseats from the patient's face, resulting in a loss of pressure fromthe CPAP, or awakening of the patient.

Another treatment for sleep breathing disorders involves the use ofdental devices for extending forward the lower jaw of the patient. Thesedevices operate to more fully open the breathing passageway, therebyallowing for easier breathing, whether that breathing be through thenose or through the mouth. These dental devices treat snoring problemsvery well, but may not sufficiently treat more serious cases, such assome sleep apnea cases.

Therefore, a need has arisen for a device that will allow for moreefficient treatment of breathing disorders during sleep, and which willassist in maintaining the proper seating of a CPAP face mask.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a combinationface mask and dental device is provided which significantly reduces oreliminates disadvantages and problems associated with prior art devicesfor treating breathing disorders during sleep.

In particular, a device for assisting breathing is provided in which aface mask is connected to a system for supplying gas to the face mask. Adental device is connected to the face mask. With such a system, thedental device serves as an anchor for the face mask. In a particularembodiment, the system for supplying gas is a constant positive airpressure system.

Furthermore, the dental device may comprise an upper arch that includesa post for causing a user's lower jaw to extend forward. The upper archmay be a custom mold of at least some of the user's upper teeth. Also,the upper arch may include a deformable material capable of being moldedto as least some of the user's upper teeth.

In a particular embodiment, the dental device is connected to the facemask through a connector. The connector may include a support membercoupled to the face mask at a first ball joint. The connector may alsoinclude a joining member coupled to the support member at a second balljoint, the joining member coupled to the dental device.

An important technical advantage of the present invention is the factthat a face mask is anchored by a dental device, thereby providing amore secure fit for the face mask.

Another important technical advantage of the present invention is thefact that a dental device may be used which causes the lower jaw toextend forward, thereby increasing the opening of the user's breathingpassageway. This increased opening increases the effectiveness oftreatment for sleep breathing disorders, such as sleep apnea.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and theadvantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptionstaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a combination face mask and dental device accordingto the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a dental deviceaccording to the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of a combination face mask anddental device according to the teachings of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of an embodiment for a connectionbetween a face mask and dental device according to the teachings of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a combination face mask and dental device accordingto the teachings of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a facemask 10 is provided for fitting over a patient's nose. The particularface mask 10 shown in FIG. 1 is illustrative only, and any other facemasks may be used without departing from the intended scope of thepresent invention. For example, the face mask 10 may fit over thepatient's nose and mouth together, or mouth alone. Furthermore, the facemask 10 may be nasal inserts, or any device used to couple air to apatient. As shown in FIG. 1, face mask 10 may be secured to thepatient's head with a strap 12. Strap 12 may be adjustable or elastic.

Face mask 10 is coupled through air tube 14 to CPAP system 16. CPAPsystem 16 provides constant positive air pressure to the patient throughface mask 10. The pressure of the air delivered by CPAP system 16depends upon the severity of the breathing disorder being treated. Themore severe the disorder, the greater the pressure must be. In general,increasing the air pressure delivered by CPAP system 16 increases theopening of the breathing passageway. CPAP system 16 is shown as anexample only. Other systems for delivering air at constant or varyingpressures may also be used. Furthermore, any such systems may deliverany breathable gas, such as air or oxygen. It should be understood thatthe term "gas" used throughout this patent is meant to include air. Facemask 10 should be configured so as to allow air exhaled by the patientto be exhausted from the face mask 10.

As shown in FIG. 1, face mask 10 is connected to a dental device 18through connector 20. Connector 20 includes support members 22 and 24which are joined by tightener 26. For example, tightener 26 may be atightening screw, a tightening bolt, or any other device for tightening.Support members 22 and 24 may be separate, or may be a single supportmember. Support members 22 and 24 communicate with a ball 28 and a ring30. Ball 28 is connected to face mask 10 through a support 32. Ring 30surrounds a joining member 34.

Joining member 34 attaches to dental device 18 at a connecting member 36which is attached to dental device 18. End 38 of joining member 34 mayconnect with member 36 in any suitable fashion. For example, member 36may be hollow and tapered as shown in FIG. 1, so that member 36 wedgedlyengages in end 38. Similarly, end 38 may wedgedly engage with member 36.As another alternative, end 38 and member 36 may be connected with afastener, such as a bolt, screw, or set pin, among others. Similarly,end 38 and member 36 may be bonded, as through a weld or adhesive. Itshould be understood that joining member 34 may be attached to dentaldevice 18 in any suitable way.

Support members 22 and 24 in conjunction with ball 28 effectively form auniversal ball joint, and thus support members 22 and 24 can freely moveabout ball 28. Similarly, ring 30 and support members 22 and 24effectively form a universal ball joint, and thus joining member 34 canfreely move up and down, and left and right, with respect to thepatient.

The freedom of movement allowed by ball 28 and ring 30 allow for thedental device 18 and the face mask 10 to be comfortably and effectivelyfitted. Once they are so fitted, tightener 26 is tightened so as tomaintain this comfortable and effective relationship between the facemask 10 and the dental device 18.

During use, the dental device 18 will be securely in place in thepatient's mouth. Because it is connected to face mask 10 throughconnector 20, dental device 18 acts as an anchor, maintaining theplacement and fit of face mask 10. This anchoring effect provides asignificant advantage over prior art use of only a face mask, as use ofonly a face mask often results in unseating of the face mask duringsleep.

As shown in FIG. 1, dental device 18 is an upper arch. Dental device 18includes a deformable material 40 bonded to the device 18 and used forforming a mold of the patient's teeth for proper fitting. A suitablematerial for deformable material 40 is the ethylene-vinyl acetatecopolymer resin sold under the registered trademark ELVAX. Any othersuitable deformable materials may also be used. Typically, with amaterial such as ELVAX, the material 40 is heated to a temperature ofabout 150° F., through a microwave oven or by heating in hot water, forexample, so as to place the material 40 in its deformable state. Apatient then inserts the dental device and bites down, thereby deformingthe material 40 into the shape of the patient's teeth. The dental deviceis then removed and allowed to cool, thereby setting the material 40into a mold of the patient's teeth.

Also shown in FIG. 1 is a lower arch 42. Lower arch 42 may also includea deformable material 40. In a preferred embodiment, dental device 18includes a downwardly extending post 44 which contacts lower arch 42 asshown in FIG. 1. This contacting forces the lower arch 42, andconsequently the patient's lower jaw, forward, thereby opening thebreathing passageway. By using the dental device shown in FIG. 1, theeffectiveness of sleep breathing disorder treatments are enhanced, sincenot only is the CPAP treatment being applied, but so is the dentaldevice treatment which increases the opening of the breathingpassageway.

By using the dental device 18 shown in FIG. 1, the breathing passagewayis opened more than normal, and thus CPAP system 16 need not deliver gasat as high a pressure as would be necessary without use of the dentaldevice shown in FIG. 1. This provides a significant advantage over theuse of CPAP systems alone.

The particular dental device shown in FIG. 1 is exemplary only, andother dental devices may be used without departing from the intendedscope of the present invention. For example, the dental device shown inFIG. 1 is customized by a patient. However, as shown in FIG. 2, a dentaldevice 50 molded from the patient's teeth by a dental professional mayalso be used. Dental device 50 includes upper arch 52, lower arch 54,and post 56. As another example, the lower arches 42 and 54 shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 need not be included. Without the lower arches, the posts44 and 56 would contact the patient's teeth and gum. Examples of othersuitable dental devices are described throughout U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 08/129,598, entitled APPARATUS FOR PREVENTION OF SNORING ANDIMPROVED BREATHING DURING SLEEP, which is herein incorporated byreference.

Moreover, although the preferred embodiment of the present invention iswith a dental device that more fully opens the breathing passageway ofthe patient, dental devices that do not perform this function may alsobe used. As discussed above, one of the advantages of the presentinvention is that the dental device is used to anchor the face mask 10.Thus, any dental device that performs the anchoring function iscontemplated by the present invention. As an example, a lower arch alonecould be used to connect to face mask 10. Furthermore, dental devicesnot shaped as arches could also be used. Indeed, the term dental deviceis meant to include any oral appliance which can serve as an anchor forface mask 10.

FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention in whichthe joining member 34 is directly connected to dental device 18. Withthis embodiment, no connecting is required between the joining member 34and the member 36 shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of connector 20. As shown in FIG. 4,support members 22 are joined by tightener 26. Support members 22, 24are formed, as shown in FIG. 4, so as to provide seats for ball 28 andring 30, respectively. Ball 28 is fastened to mask 10 through support32. Support 32 may be fastened to mask 10 in any suitable fashion, suchas by welding or bonding, or through the use of fasteners, such asbrads, pins, screws, and bolts, for example. The connector 20 may beformed of any suitable material, such as plastic or metal. It should beunderstood that the particular connector 20 shown is exemplary, andother connectors may also be used. For example, connectors that do notallow movement, or connectors that allow less or more movement thanconnector 20, may also be used without departing from the intended scopeof this invention.

In summary, a combination face mask and dental device is provided inwhich the dental device is connected to the face mask, and acts as ananchor to secure the position and seating of the face mask. The facemask is connected to a CPAP system for providing gas to a patient,thereby opening the patient's breathing passageway. Furthermore, thedental device may include the capability of extending the lower jawforward, so as to open the patient's breathing passageway, therebyincreasing the efficiency of treatment for breathing disorders duringsleeping.

Although the present invention has been described in detail, it shouldbe understood that various modifications, substitutions, or alterationscan be made without departing from the intended scope as defined by theappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for assisting breathing, comprising:aface mask; a system for supplying gas to said face mask; and a dentaldevice adjustably connected to said face mask; a connector forconnecting said dental device to said face mask, wherein said connectorcomprises:a support member, having a fist ball joint and a second balljoint, coupled to said face mask at said first ball joint; and a joiningmember coupled to said support member at said second ball joint, saidjoining member coupled to said dental device.
 2. The device of claim 1,wherein said support member comprises first and second individualsupport members.
 3. A device for assisting breathing, comprising:a facemask; a system for supplying gas to said face mask; a support member,having a first ball joint and a second ball joint, coupled to said facemask at said first bail joint; a joining member coupled to said supportmember at said second ball joint; and an upper arch coupled to saidjoining member, said upper arch including a post for causing a user'slower jaw to extend forward.
 4. The device of claim 3, wherein saidsupport member comprises first and second individual support members. 5.The device of claim 3, wherein said system for supplying gas comprises aconstant positive air pressure system.
 6. The device of claim 3, andfurther comprising a lower arch.
 7. The device of claim 3, wherein saidupper arch comprises a custom mold of at least some of a user's upperteeth.
 8. The device of claim 7, wherein said upper arch includes adeformable material capable of being molded to at least some of a user'supper teeth.
 9. A device for assisting breathing, comprising:a face maskoperable to deliver air to the nose of a user, the face mask operable toprevent the device from delivering air to the lips of the user; a systemfor supplying gas to said face mask; a dental device adjustablyconnected to said face mask; and a connector for connecting said dentaldevice to said face mask, wherein said connector comprises: a supportmember, having a first ball joint and a second ball joint, coupled tosaid face mask at said first ball joint; and a joining member coupled tosaid support member at said second ball joint, said joining membercoupled to said dental device.